The Dallas Cowboys defense's impressive showing during its joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams only added to the positive vibes surrounding this group. The changes Christian Parker has implemented are taking hold and are now showing up in competitive reps. The defensive line is generating pressure and slowing down the run, the linebackers are fitting their gaps and making plays in coverage, and the secondary eventually gelled to hold its own against a talented passing attack. That's great news for a team looking to bounce back from last season's debacle.
Others are starting to take notice of the changes the Cowboys have made, and it's showing up in the latest preseason power rankings. At the end of the 2025 season, Dallas was ranked 22nd by much of the national media. Since then, the Cowboys have climbed as high as No. 8 in some spaces. The team still has to prove it's worthy of those projections when the games count, but if the media has bought into the changes taking place in Dallas, maybe things will be different in 2026.
Here's a look at the latest news and notes.
Dallas Cowboys Top Headlines
- Pic 6: Stock risers from Cowboys-Rams joint practice :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
- Preseason Power Rankings Roundup: Can Cowboys crack Top 10? :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
- Mick Shots: Multiple benefits of Big Q extension :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
- Overshown: 'It felt good' to see Cowboys' improvements come to life in Rams joint practice :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
- How the Rams viewed the scrimmage with the Cowboys :: Blogging The Boys (Link)
- Stock Up: 3 Cowboys defenders have turned opinions upside down in camp :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
- How the Cowboys can pay George Pickens and still keep their stars :: Blogging The Boys (Link)
- Cowboys Fans Misunderstand What a Franchise Quarterback Is :: Inside The Star (Link)
- Cowboys' value surpasses $15 Billion with a B, without a new Lombardi :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
- Jaishawn Barham has been the Cowboys' shiniest new toy in training camp :: The Landry Hat (Link)
- 3 projected Cowboys starters who shouldn't be protected this preseason :: The Landry Hat (Link)
- How a Maxx Crosby-Cowboys Trade Could Come to Fruition :: Sports Illustrated (Link)
- 5 Cowboys long shots making the strongest cases to survive final cuts :: The Landry Hat (Link)
News & Headlines Around the NFC East
- Jalen Hurts catches stray from Eagles social media team :: The Big Lead (Link)
- Jordan Davis dishes on 2 teammates whom Eagles fans must keep an eye on :: Inside The Iggles (Link)
- Eagles depth chart revealed ahead of first preseason game :: Bleeding Green Nation (Link)
- 'Starting to come together': Commanders defense playing with intensity, energy :: Commanders.com (Link)
- Analyzing top storylines from Commanders training camp, joint practice :: Hogs Haven (Link)
- Commanders joint practice delivered the warning everyone feared was coming :: Riggo's Rag (Link)
- Practice Report (8/12): View from the sideline :: Giants.com (Link)
- NY Giants interested in Terrion Arnold because ‘we want to be aggressive in every way’ :: Big Blue View (Link)
- Jaxson Dart’s Year 2 leap suddenly feels a lot less crazy for the Giants :: GMEN HQ (Link)
News & Headlines Around the NFL
- Browns name Watson starting QB for preseason opener :: ESPN.com (Link)
- Free agent TE Darren Waller, Panthers agree to 1-year deal :: ESPN.com (Link)
- 2026 NFL Preseason Week 1: 10 things to watch :: NFL.com (Link)
- Ben Johnson wants Bears to set NFL scoring record in 2026 :: NFL.com (Link)
- J.J. McCarthy wants to stay with Vikings after losing QB job :: ESPN.com (Link)
- Top 100 Players of 2026, Nos. 30-21: Dolphins' De'Von Achane debuts; Texans' Derek Stingley Jr. returns :: NFL.com (Link)
- Vita Vea Posts Cryptic Tweet, Shares Stat Comparison Amid Trade Request, Bucs Contract Talks :: Bleacher Report (Link)
- Tua Tagovailoa to start Friday, not yet named Falcons' QB1 :: ESPN.com (Link)
- 2026 NFL training camp: Latest news, intel for all 32 teams :: ESPN.com (Link)
- Josh Dobbs Talks 'Very Frustrating' Patriots Exit Prior to Lions Contract in NFL Free Agency :: Bleacher Report (Link)
- NFL's most and least optimistic fan bases entering 2026 season: Non-playoff team takes No. 1 spot :: CBS Sports (Link)
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Headlines: Parker's defense impresses, Rams' scrimmage POV